Wine Tastings
Amarone, Musella
Musella make very special wines! What makes them unique is that they look for harmony and balance in the wine, not just power and intensity. Don't get me wrong, this is still a full-bodied wine, made with dried grapes in the usual way, but it isn't too intense or too alcoholic like a lot of modern Amarone. This is deliciously drinkable; more than one glass won't knock you out! Maddalena Pasqua is passionate about her vineyards and the land on which she lives; she makes wines that shine with this love. All the vineyards and farmed Biodynamically and the wines made by hand.
A great wine to finish the meal and can accompany a range of cheeses including complex Cheddars such as Montgomery or Pitchfork, or soft blues like Beauvale.
Hilltop Shiraz, Clonakilla
Clonakilla are one of Australia’s most iconic Shiraz producers. Their flagship Shiraz/Viognier is amongst the countries best (available on request), however, this wine gives you a real insight into the genius of winemaker Tim Kirk at a fraction of the price. In fact, for drinking now, this wine is more approachable and rewarding than its big brother. Not as big and jammy as Barossa Shiraz, this has a slightly more Rhône-y edge to it, making it much more food friendly in my book. Still juicy and full of delicious dark, spicy fruit but with balance and restraint.
Musella Valpolicella Ripasso
Musella make some of the most elegant wines in the Valpolicella region; where most wineries are looking for power and intensity in their Ripasso and Amarone, Maddalena Pasqua makes wines of elegance and focus. Her love of nature and respect for the land have led her to become one of the leading proponents of Biodynamic winemaking in Italy. This Ripasso certainly has depth of flavour and richness but the overriding effect is one of drinkability. And that is a good, I’m sure you’ll agree. It’s not a showing off wine but a really pleasurable drinking wine. Perfect with lasagne and other meaty pasta dishes as well as grilled meats.
‘Lo Vielh’ Old Vine Carignan, Clos de Gravillas
Clos de Gravillas is an organic estate based in the tiny hamlet of St Jean de Minervois, deepin the Languedoc countryside. Here, John and Nicole Bojanowski make some of the region's most interesting wines. The Carignan vines that make this wine are from a high gravelly vineyard and are over 100 years old. This gives the wine real character, as if the vines have soaked up the minerals of the earth and the flavours of the surrounding Garrigue.
This is a dark, powerful wine that is a perfect match for slow roasted, herby meats. Unique and beautiful, this is Southern French wine at it's best.
Chenin Blanc, Botanica
This is one of South Africa’s best white wines! Awarded the maximum 5 stars in the influential Platter Guide for seven vintages. The dry-farmed grapes for this wine come from a vineyard in the Citrusdal Mountain region. It is fermented and aged partially in old oak barrels and has the perfect balance between richness and freshness that only great Chenin Blanc seems to achieve. Amazingly complex and will continue to develop for many years to come. Outstanding.
‘Chiaraluna’ Viognier, Muralia
Muralia is a beautiful organic winery in the Maremma region of Tuscany, owned and run by Stefano Casali, who is an absolute perfectionist when it comes to wine!
This is a very elegant Viognier, with clean, pure stone fruit flavours and without the heaviness that sometimes comes with that grape. One of the best expressions of Viognier I've ever tasted (from anywhere!).
Absolutely delicious with poached salmon or lobster.
‘O Rosal’, Terras Gauda
Terras Gauda was the first Galician winery to really make me think that World class wines could be produced here. Their vineyards are located in the subzone of O Rosal on the terraces that rise steeply above the river Miño which divides Spain from Portugal. This wine is a selective blend of the best Albariño grapes in the O Rosal subzone, mixed with the indigenous Loureira and Caiño Blanco, it is greenish-yellow, evoking white flowers and green plums on the nose and filling out on the palate with fresh grape and apple compote flavours as well as peach kernel. Edged with superb acidity and a bristling minerality this reminds me of a cross between really good Riesling and Premier Cru Chablis.
The perfect wine for seafood, salads or simple fish dishes.
Monteleccio, Sesti
The Sesti family are one of the best producers of Brunello di Montalcino. Based at the beautiful Castello di Argiano, they have the most beautiful property imaginable and they make wines in a thoughtful and balanced style; traditional in the best sense of the word. The grapes for this wine are selected because they are felt to be best for drinking young; so they could become Brunello but they are aged for less time. More character than many actual Brunello and for half the price, this is one of Montalcino’s best buys. Great with hard cheeses (Cornish Kern or Old Winchester?), as well as roast lamb with lots of garlic and rosemary, pasta with meat sauces and stews.
Albarino, Newton Johnson
Newton Johnson are famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but this new addition to their range has won them huge plaudits. The Spanish grape Albarino, is taking off all around the World as more and more people fall in love with it. Less intense than Sauvignon but still crisp and fresh, this is a variety you need to try.
This version is very well-made (as you would expect from Gordon Newton Johnson), perhaps slightly fleshier and juicier than it's Spanish relatives, but still elegant and food-friendly. Delicious.
Perfect with shellfish, BBQ prawns, lobster mayonnaise, grilled fish with olive oil.
‘Le Merlettaie’ Pecorino, Ciu Ciu
100% Pecorino
This organic farm in the Offida region of Le Marche, was established in 1970 and is owned by brothers, Massimiliano and Walter Bartolomei.
Pecorino is the grape variety here, named after the fact that the bunches look like sheep's heads (or because sheep like to eat the grapes, depending on who you listen to...). It is a great variety that, in the right hands, can have real personality and quality. This wine sees a little bit of barrel ageing which gives some richness and a hint of vanilla to compliment the fresh orchard fruit flavours.
This is great with pork and apple dishes as well as simple grilled fish, or with a nice risotto. It also goes well with sheep's cheese...English Pecorino!
Highmoor whole cheese
Highmoor – Made by Rose Grimmond in Oxfordshire
A semi-soft, washed rind cheese with brothy and bacony notes from the rind made at the Nettlebed Creamery near Henley by Rose Grimmond. Rose's family are dairy farmers and the family farm, located 1 mile down the road, provides all the beautiful organic cows' milk used to make the Nettledbed cheeses. Shape, taste and texture all make Highmoor an interesting addition to any cheese board and given the closeness of the cow to creamery to No2 this is also a great cheese to eat to reduce your food miles and support two local businesses.
